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252 Cha pte r F i f tee n
FIGURE 15.2 Unauthorized fi re hydrant openings often cause damage to fi re hydrants from the
use of improper tools. (Source: Philadelphia Water Department.)
• Allowing a variety of people to operate fire hydrants increases the likelihood of
damage occurring to hydrants due to lack of familiarity with operating
procedures or use of improper tools to operate the fire hydrant. (See Fig. 15.2)
• Allowing multiple uses of fire hydrants sends a poor public relations message
that water is free for the taking to those who can manage to open a hydrant.
This is a precarious position particularly due to the need to secure drinking
water systems and preserve water resources.
For the above reasons it is recommended that water utilities keep the number of
permitted uses of fire hydrants to a minimum, and such usage should be carefully regu-
lated and overseen. Utility managers should vigorously maintain control of their fire
hydrants and resist requests for sundry uses of hydrants. It is important that utility
managers establish a sound policy for fire hydrant usage that is supported by fire
departments and political leaders. Procedures for permitting and tracking allowable
uses should be put in place and enforced. Commercially constructed bulk water sales
stations are available on the marketplace to provide water utilities with a means to sup-
ply water to permitted users, typically via tank trucks, rather than allowing the use of
fire hydrants. This is one step of a good policy on fire hydrant use. Water utility manag-
ers should work to educate public officials, contractors, customers, the media, and other
stakeholders on the need to maintain strict utility control over fire hydrants. The Loud-
oun County Sanitation Authority in Loudoun County, Virginia developed a compre-
hensive policy and detailed procedures for fire hydrant usage which has allowed them
to better balance the need for access to water supply versus protection of the water
distribution system and drinking water quality. 1
15.3.2 Unauthorized Consumption at the Customer Endpoint
Unauthorized openings of fire hydrants are often visibly evident to the general public,
water utility, and law enforcement personnel, thus aiding the detection of such occur-
rences. Unauthorized consumption at the customer endpoint is not nearly so obvious.